One of Taxco's foremost modernists, Enrique Ledesma was also an accomplished lapidary and his slick, mid-century jewelry often feature a seamless marriage of silver with semi-precious and other stones. In the bracelet presented here, the green inlay is ridged and discreetly held in its sterling setting creating a row of elongated shield-shaped links that moves smoothly and easily conforms to the wrist...

Stern and solemn, a gorgeous example of classic Mexican Deco lapidary work, the chrysoprase “mask” centering the silver pendant at hand looks dignified and at ease, completely unaffected by the weight of its ornate headdress. The hefty, entirely hand-wrought chain that accompanies it is, I believe, original to the necklace and perfectly reflects the pendant’s heaviness...

A retail shop in Taxco, according to Bille Hougart, Plateria Cortes is a name also found on some of Enrique Ledesma pieces, most probably because they were sold there. So my first thought when I saw this set of vintage Mexican silver surrealist earrings was that they might have been made by Ledesma. And then it all came back to me - a couple of years ago, I sold three sets of earrings in the same exact style (and actually even a pair like the one at hand) clearly signed for Sigi Pineda...

Fleshy, slick and so mod this set of vintage Mexican Antonio Pineda earrings is wrought in his favorite fine (.970) silver alloy in the form of heart-shaped leaves. Antonio's jewelry, no matter how many elements combined in a design, if unfailingly sculptural and shamelessly tactile. It is very difficult to restrain oneself and not keep passing one's fingers over the masterfully worked, perfectly finished silver...

Circa mid-century, this bracelet is the work of Felipe Martinez / Piedra Y Plata. Martinez, who had worked with Hubert Harmon in the 1940's, opened his shop "Piedra Y Plata" in 1950. Before opening his shop Martinez had been an expert sculptor. Features six dense green stones and a superb modernist design, Martinez was known for selecting spectacular stones, and this bracelet does not disappoint. Measures a closed, wearable length of 6 3/8", with a width of 11/16"...

Sold through Plateria Cortes this Taxco mid-century silver and stone necklace is signed by Enrique Ledesma and indeed considered a classic example of the Mexican modernist. Ledesma excelled in the marriage of sterling and semi-precious or hard stones is sleek, minimalist designs so his jewelry has a timeless appeal and is very much relevant today as it was when it first saw the day of light...

These earrings are clipbacks. They display a beautiful design with large, pink, quartz cabochons. Their diameter is just over 3/4" and protrude 3/4". They are marked SILVER and have a Chinese hallmark. They are in excellent condition.

One of the best lapidaries in Taxco’s jewelry history, Felipe Martinez created amazing jewelry in many styles. The classy sterling silver and azur-malachite earrings at hand follow the “mozaico Azteca” line that was introduced by the Los Castillo workshop. Rich, dark blues, understated safe and a breath-taking splash of electric green come together in the stone inlay held securely in the most minimal “gypsy” setting...

One of Taxco's most famous modernists Sigi Pineda was also a very prolific designer and at his best moments, truly inspired. I am used to seeing minimalist, fluid pieces by him and the brooch at hand, wrought in sterling silver and adorned with a teardrop-shaped obsidian, is the result of a good moment indeed...

Today we have a vintage Mexican silver parure made by Maestro Sigi Pineda. Sigi has had a long career in handmade jewelry within the Spratling era. His work is heavy, made with excellent stones as this parure also has. The obsidian is extreme sheen on the necklace and you may see silver dots that sparkle on the other pictures which is the camera reacting to the sheen in less light. There is no damage of any kind and this modernist design is a basic to wear with anything...

Hand-hammered silver reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts movement and a jade bead that brings to mind ancient Aztec and Maya jewelry combine in this sterling silver ring by the Los Castillo. The specific design does not come up very often. In all my years of buying and selling vintage Mexican jewelry I have only had two examples - the second one being the one offered here...

Stunning Los Castillo "doorknocker" dangle earrings, these beauties are breath-taking and beguilingly curvaceous. I love this design and it has been a long time since I had a similar set. Sensual curves, sculptural teardrops, discrete little scrolls and confident, masterful repoussage - there is nothing about the pair that was not paid attention to. Even the concave round elements that hide the screw-back at the earrings' top have been enhanced with oxidation...

Perfect for those breezy nights by the beach, this vintage Mexican silver Carmen Beckmann brooch is shaped like a starfish (some see it as a sea anemone too) and centered by a turquoise of the softest sea foam color. I love Beckmann jewelry - when she was inspired, she created some amazing pieces. Simple yet not simplistic, the almost abstract a-symmetry of the silver work is reflected in the shape of the stone...

Potent design and perfect execution combine in this set of Antonio Pineda cufflinks shaped like bull skulls...

A twist to Margot de Taxco's classic all silver zodiac pendant / charms this sinewy Sagittarius rises above a background of multicolored confetti enamel. A true feast for the eyes, the archer faces the viewer but has his head turned to the right in the direction of his outstretched bow-holding arm. I love these enameled examples by Margot because the confetti, especially the primarily blue / green version like here, reminds me of clear nights when thousands of twinkling stars light up the skies....

This pin bridges mid-century modernist and Southwest aesthetics with its angular design and polished ceramic cabochon resembling turquoise. It’s marked 925 for sterling silver at one end; the original rollover clasp is very secure. The pin measures about 3 inches long by ¾ inch wide.

This mid-century necklace from Antonio Pineda is an absolutely spectacular showpiece. It's composed of obsidian and silver, both in 5 point diamond shapes, which form a "V" in the front center. There is a pearl offset on the left front. This is a very rare piece, and it looks amazing on the wearer. The obsidian centerpiece is slightly curved so that it contours perfectly on the neck. Extremely flattering. Measures a closed, wearable length of 17 1/2". Weight is 86.6 grams. Sign...

This mid-century Salvador Teran bracelet features a silver man in the moon and star which appears to be floating against the darkened background, framed in a silver bezel of varying sides and angles. It's a seldom seen design and a standout piece. Has a large presence on the wrist. Measures a closed, wearable length of 6 1/2". Width in front is 1 5/8". Weight is 64.7 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Salvador Sterling Mexico", with the eagle assay 36 and design # 125.